Ventilating apparatus



United States Patent Inventor Hugo Magi Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada 730,145

May 17, 1968 Aug. 18, 1970 Aqua-Marine Mfg. Limited Toronto, Ontario, Canada Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee VENTILATING APPARATUS 16 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 98/37, 98/64, 114/211 moi B63j2/04 FieldofSearch 98/35,6l,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,550,554 8/1925 Malzard 98/64 2,052,315 8/1936 Riesner 98/37X 3,062,125 11/1962 Henneberger... 98/42X 3,111,203 11/1963 De Ridder 189/34 3,112,687 12/1963 Henneberger... 98/37 3,331,304 7/1967 Baus 98/1 14X Primary Examiner William E. Wayner A!!0rney Harold G. Fox

ABSTRACT: A ventilating apparatus suitable for use on the deck of a marine craft or the like, has a cowl attached to a plate. The plate, in one embodiment, is provided with stop means whereby an open-ended duct is prevented from abutting the inner top wall of the cowl. in another embodiment, the cowl and the plate are interlocked by means of interlocking channel members.

Patented Au 18, 1910 3,s 24,4o o

INVENTOR.

F|G.3 BY

PATENT AGENT VENTILATING APPARATUS This invention relates to ventilating apparatus, and, more particularly, to ventilating apparatus for use in water craft.

Certain ventilator cowls presently available for use with ventilators on water craft such as motor boats and yachts have a tendency in use to become separated from their mounting plates when pressure is applied to the top surface of the cowl accidentally, such as by a person stepping on the cowl,

- because of the consequent splaying of the side walls of the cowl.

It is an object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a support plate and cow] which are designed so that the cowl will not separate from its support plate due to splaying of the side walls of the cowl.

Generally, the ventilator duct covered by the ventilator cowl terminates at the deck of the craft. It is possible, however, by accident, in some types of marine ventilating systems to have the duct pressed against the top wall of the cowl, thereby preventing the egress of air from the duct or the ingress of air into the duct.

It is an object of another embodiment of the present invention to provide a ventilating apparatus including a cowl and a duct in which the ventilator duct is prevented from abutting the cowl and thus always allows the egress or ingress of air from or to the duct.

Other objects will become apparent from the detailed description below.

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention provides a ventilator apparatus comprising a low silhouette ventilator cowl having a top wall and a plate having an opening therein defined by side walls, the ventilator cowl being positioned over the opening in the plate but with the top wall in spaced-apart relationship with respect thereto, the apparatus carrying means disposed in juxtaposition with respect to the opening in the plate to constitute a stop for an open-ended duct insertable into the opening in the plate and communicable in fluid flow relationship with the chamber defined by the cowl and the plate, the stop being positioned to prevent the open end ofthe duct from abutting against the top wall of the cow].

A further embodiment of the present invention provides, in combination, a ventilator cowl having a top wall, side walls and an open side, a cowl support plate having spaced-apart side edges and an opening in the plate between the side edges, the ventilator cowl being positioned with the top wall thereof disposed over the opening in the plate but in spaced-apart relationship with respect thereto, whereby air may pass into the ventilator cowl and through the opening in the plate, and interlocking means for interlocking the side walls and the plate, the interlocking means comprising means defining first channels associated with the side walls of the ventilator cowl within the outer surface of the ventilator cowl and including first lateral portions and first upstanding portions upstanding from the first lateral portions, and means defining second channels associated with the cowl support plate and including second lateral portions and second upstanding portions upstanding from the second lateral portions, the first and second upstanding portions being relatively located with the first and second upstanding portions abutting each other in overlapping relationship and extending respectively into the second and first channels, whereby the side walls ofthe ventilator cowl are prevented from relative outward lateral displacement upon the application of pressure on the top wall in the direction of the plate.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is provided by a combination of the two above-described embodiments,

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 represents an exploded perspective view, partially in section, ofone embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlargement of a section taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE I.

In the drawings, a ventilator cowl 10 has a top wall 12 and side walls l4, l6 and 18. Around the periphery of the free edge of the side walls is a flange 20 projecting inwardly of the side walls. Formed through the top wall 12 is an opening 22. At the free ends of the flange 20 are located channels 24 and 26 defined in part by lateral portions 28 and 30 respectively and upstanding wedge-shaped portions 32 and 34 respectively. A cowl support plate 36 has an opening 38 formed therein between side edges 40 and 42 thereof. Projecting downwardly from plate 36 and integral therewith is a hollow cylinder 44 that defines opening 38. The cylinder 44 receives an air duct 46. The duct 46 is held in position by engagement of three equally circumferentially-spaced projections, only two of which, 48 and 50, are shown, with the helical grooves 52 in the duct 46. The duct 46 is prevented from passing beyond the surface of the cowl support plate 36 by the provision of three equally circumferentially-spaced projections 54, 56 and 58 which project into the opening 38. In this respect, duct 46 is threaded into cylinder 44. Eventually the side walls defining the open end of the duct will engage projections 54, 56 and 58 preventing the duct from being threaded any further into cylinder 44. In this manner it is ensured that the open end of the duct will not abut against top wall 12 of cowl l0 preventing passage of air through the duct. If projections 54, 56 and 58 were not present, this could occur.

On the underside of the plate 36 there is a wall 60 located inwardly of the edges of the plate. Formed through the plate are openings 62, 64 and 66, opening 64 being in axial alignment with opening 22 in cowl 10 when the cowl and the plate are assembled together as shown in FIGURE 2 so that a single screw 63 holds both the cowl l0 and the plate 36 to a mounting 65 such as the deck ofa boat. The cowl and the plate have an interlock generally indicated as 68 consisting of a downwardly projecting wedge-shaped projection on the plate defining with wall 60 a channel 72 and the upwardly projecting wedge-shaped projection 34 formed in the flange 20. When assembled, as shown in FIGURE 3, the projections 70 and 34 abut each other in overlapping relationship and respectively project into channels 26 and 72. The same type of interlock is employed at the opposite side of the plate and cowl.

In order to install the ventilating apparatus, plate 36 is screwed or otherwise secured to the deck 65 of the boat by screws passed through openings 62 and 66. Cowl 10 then is slid into position from the rear of the plate as indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 1. When it is in position, screw 63 is inserted through openings 22 and 64 and screwed into deck 65. lnterlocks 68 positively prevent side walls 14 and 18 of cowl 10 from separating from plate 36 when pressure is applied downwardly on top wall 12 of cowl 10.

Many modifications of the above-described construction are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, the interlock could be formed in several alternative ways: the upward projections 32 and 34 could be downwardly projecting and the projections 70 on the plate could be formed on the top surface of the plate and be upwardly projecting. Alternatively, the side walls 14 and 18 ofthe cowl could be made thick and the channels 24 formed in the walls at the bottoms thereof. In either case, the interlocks are within the outside surface of the cowl which gives a pleasing outward appearance with no upstanding edges of plate 36 extending around the outer periphery of the cowl. Moreover the interlocks are hidden from view.

The interlocks could be positioned at any location on the side walls of the cowl and the plate, but it is preferred that the interlock be positioned as illustrated, giving rise to ease of as sembly.

The flange 20 need not be continuous, but it is preferred that it be so, so that the side walls of the plate overlap flange 20 of the cowl around the whole periphery of the side walls of the cowl.

The duct 46 may be held in position in a variety of different manners, such as by clamps affixed to the duct and engaging the side walls of the opening, or the provision of a series of tongues projecting downwardly from the plate 'and having protrusions similar to projections 48 and 50 engaging the helical groove.

The duct 46 may be prevented from coming into engagement with the top.wall 12 of the cowl in a variety of different ways. Thus, projections could be provided on the internal surface of the cowl and engaging the duct. It is not necessary that three projections be employed to prevent engagement of the duct with the top wall, and the same effect can be achieved by the use of a single projection. It is preferred, however, to employ the construction illustrated, i.e., the provision of three equally circumferentially spaced projections which project into the opening 38, since this provides a pleasing appearance to the assembled combination, since the duct is not permitted to pass beyond the surface of the plate towards the cow].

Further, it is not essential that the channels formed in the cowl and the projections formed in the plate be complementarily wedge-shaped. They could be any convenient complementary shape. It is preferred, however, that the channels and projections be complementarily wedge-shaped.

Many other modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. In a ventilating apparatus comprising a low silhouette ventilator cowl having a top wall and a plate having an opening therein defined by side walls, said ventilator cowl being positioned over the opening in said plate but with said top wall in spaced-apart relationship with respect thereto, a chamber defined by said cowl and said plate, an open-ended duct threadably inserted in the opening in said plate and communicating in fluid flow relationship with said chamber, cooperating means on said plate and said duct for threading said duct into the opening in said plate, stop means carried by said apparatus and immovably fixed with respect to said plate and disposed in juxtaposition with respect to the opening in said plate (to constitute a stop for said duct, said stop being positioned) and cooperatively engageable with the end of said duct to prevent the open end of said duct from abutting against said top wall of said low silhouette cowl.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said means is a projection extending into the opening in said plate.

3. The apparatus ofClaim 2 wherein there are at least three of said projections disposed in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other around the periphery of the opening in said plate and formed integral with said plate.

4. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said duct is threaded and wherein said plate carries means adapted to threadably engage said threaded duct.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1 including a cylindrical member formed integral with said plate extending therefrom in a direction away from said ventilator cowl and communicating in fluid-flow relationship with the opening in said plate, said duct being of circular cross-section and externally threaded, said cylindrical member including means adapted to threadably engage said threaded duct.

6. The apparatus of Claim 5 including means for fastening said ventilator cowl and said plate together.

7. In combination, a ventilator cowl having a top wall and side walls a cowl support plate having spaced-apart side edges and an opening in said plate between said side edges, said ventilator cowl being positioned with the top wall thereof disposed over the opening in said plate but in spaced-apart relationship with respect thereto, said spaced-apart side edges being positioned wholly within said cowl, said ventilator cowl having an open side defined by said side walls. said top wall and said plate whereby air may pass into said ventilator cowl and through the opening in said plate and interlocking means for interlocking said side walls and said plate, said interlocking means comprising means defining first channels associated with said side walls of said ventilator cowl within the outer surportions, and means defining second channels associated with said cowl support plate and including second lateral portions and second upstanding portions upstanding from said second lateral portions, said first and second upstanding portions being relatively located with said first and second upstanding 5 portions abutting each other in overlapping relationship and extending respectively into said second and first channels.

8. The combination of Claim 7 wherein said channels and said upstanding portions are complementarily wedge-shaped.

9. The combination of Claim 7 including a flange projecting inwardly from said side walls of said ventilator cowl, said first lateral and upstanding portions being formed integral with said flange and said first channels being formed in said flange, said cowl support plate being seated on said flange.

10. The combination of Claim 9, wherein said plate includes walls depending downwardly therefrom in a direction away from said top wall of said ventilator cowl and inwardly of said side edges of said cowl support plate and abutting against said flange, said side edges abutting against said side walls.

11. The combination of Claim 7 wherein said interlocking means are located adjacent said open side of said ventilator cowl.

12. The combination of Claim 7 wherein said first upstanding portions project upwardly towards said top wall of said ventilator cowl and said second upstanding portions project downwardly away from said top wall of said ventilator cowl.

13. In combination, a ventilator cowl having a top wall and side walls, a cowl support plate having spaced-apart side edges and an opening in said plate between said side edges, said ventilator cowl being positioned with the top wall thereof disposed over the opening in said plate but in spaced-apart relationship with respect thereto, said ventilator cowl having an open side defined by said side walls, said top wall and said plate, whereby air may pass into said ventilator cowl and through the opening in said plate, said cowl support plate having a plurality of openings therethrough adapted to receive fastening devices for fastening said plate to a mounting, said ventilator cowl having an opening extending therethrough in registry with one of the openings extending through said plate and adapted to receive one of said fastening devices for preventing disengagement of said ventilator cowl and said cowl support plate when said fastening device has been inserted through the opening in said cowl and the one opening in said plate and fastened to said mounting, and interlocking means for interlocking said side walls and said plate, said interlocking means comprising means defining first channels associated with said side walls of said ventilator cowl within the outer surface of the ventilator cowl and including first lateral portions and first upstanding portions upstanding from said lateral portions, and means defining second channels associated with said cowl support plate and including second lateral portions and second upstanding portions upstanding from said second lateral portions, said first and second upstanding portions being relatively located with said first and second upstanding portions abutting each other in overlapping relationship and extending respectively into said second and first channels.

14. The combination of Claim 7 wherein said interlocking means are located adjacent said open side of said ventilator cowl and including a flange projecting inwardly from said side walls, said first lateral and upstanding portions being formed integral with said flange and said first channels being formed in said flange with said first upstanding portions projecting upwardly towards said top wall, said cowl support plate being seated on said flange and said second upstanding portions projecting downwardly away from said wall.

15. An apparatus comprising a ventilator cowl having a top wall, side walls and an open side, and a plate having spacedapart side edges and an opening in said plate between said side edges, said ventilator cowl being positioned with said top wall thereof disposed over the opening in said plate but in spacedapart relationship with respect thereto, whereby air may pass into said ventilator cowl and the opening in said plate, said side walls depending from said top wall and terminating in base edges. at least the portions of said side walls below said top wall and adjacent said open side being disconnected from each other, whereby the parts of said base edges of said portions may move relative to each other upon application of pressure between said top wall and said base edges, and means for restraining such movement comprising means defining first channels associated with said side walls within the outer surface of said ventilator cowl and including first lateral portions and first upstanding portions upstanding from said first lateral portions and means defining second channels associated with said plate and including second lateral portions and second upstanding portions upstanding from said second lateral portions, said first and second upstanding portions being relatively located with said first and second upstanding portions abutting each other in overlapping relationship and extending respectively into said second and first channels.

16. In a ventilating apparatus comprising a ventilator cowl having a top wall and a plate having an opening therein defined by side walls, said ventilator cowl being positioned over the opening in said plate but with said top wall in spacedapart relationship with respect thereto, a chamber defined by said cowl and said plate. an open-ended duct inserted in the opening in said plate and communicating in fluid flow relationship with said chamber, means carried by said apparatus disposed in juxtaposition with respect to the opening in said plate to constitute a stop for said duct, said stop being positioned to prevent the open end of said duct from abutting against said top wall of said cowl, said ventilator cowl also having side walls and an open side defined by said side walls, top wall and plate whereby air may pass into said ventilator cowl and through the opening in said plate, and including inter-- locking means for interlocking said side walls and said plate, 

